NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The Bahamas are eager to host the 2011 CARIFTA Games, but they are still awaiting response from sponsors before making a commitment.
The Games – set for April 22 to 25 – were originally scheduled to be staged in St. Kitts, but the track & field association there backed away from the responsibility late last year.
The North American, Central American, and Caribbean Track & Field Association, under whose auspices the Games fall, have been searching for an alternative venue for the last three months.
Jamaica had been identified, but track & field officials there resisted because of the closeness of the dates to its international invitational meet, which they felt would have stretched their resources.
The Bahamas however, have put their hands up, but President of the Bahamas Amateur Athletic Association Mike Sands indicated they were making a big effort to secure sponsorship.
“At this point, there is a level of uncertainty about the financial commitment,” he said in an article appearing on the Track Alerts website.
“We have not secured the total amount of funding we have budgeted and we feel is needed to put on a successful Games.”
Sands added: “I am aware of the major sponsors’ commitments, but I don’t have a definitive position from the other sponsors.
“We don’t have a position on the total figures to approach the Government as yet.”
He continued: “The Government is aware of our interest to host the Games, and in principle, they are supporting the bid.
“But it is difficult for them and us to make a commitment because we need at least a letter of guarantee from the sponsors and/or NACAC.”
